Earwig Artists

Strictly judging from the lyrical sentiment of his recordings to this point, it might be wise not to make Chicago guitarist Byther Smith angry. Smitty’s uncompromising songs are filled with threats of violence and ominous menace (the way blues used to be before the age of political correctness), sometimes to the point where his words don’t even rhyme. They don’t... Read more

Cadillac Baby captured a vital era of blues music in Chicago. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Narvel Eatmon, the self-styled Cadillac Baby, owned a club and a store that sold records on the South Side of Chicago. He started the short-lived labels Bea & Baby, Key, Key Hole and Miss — barely footnotes now in blues history.

May 29, 1918 – January 11, 2006

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carl Arter was a driving force in the  western Pennsylvania, jazz community for over four decades. He played tenor saxophone for many years as well as vibraphone and piano.

For over four decades now, Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues has been delighting audiences throughout the U,S. with its unique hybrid of classical chamber music and blues tradition. Blending blues harp and piano with a string quartet and percussion, Chamber Blues is innovative, yet immediately accessible. Different Voices is the fourth record produced by this extraordinary ensemble.

Corky Siegel is known internationally as one of the worlds great blues harmonica players, blues pianist, singer-songwriter, and the sole pioneer/composer of award-winning revolutionary works that weave blues and classical forms together. Co-founder of the SIEGEL-SCHWALL BAND, and Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Corky Siegel has a catalogue of recordings on RCA, Vanguard, Alligator, and million selling... Read more

Friends say they don’t recognize him without a guitar strapped on, as Dan Doiron has been addicted to the raw energy of the electric guitar since he formed his first band at age 13 in Port Hood, Cape Breton, Canada. A blazing spitfire guitarist, Dan fuses potent guitar riffs and grooves with unique lyrics reflecting his views on everyday life,... Read more

Dave Jefferson was a Chicago drummer perhaps best known for his long-standing engagement as drummer in Willie Kent’s band “The Gents.” He was a renowned sideman and session player as well as an alumnus of Albert King’s and Buddy Guy’s bands.

Versatile Dave Kaye is a bassist who possesses lead guitarist stage presence, and works also as band leader, lead vocalist, back-up vocalist, song-writer/arranger, bass-line composer and emcee.

Born in Chicago in 1952, Dave was first influenced as a child when he found an old Victrola in the basement and wore out the blues 78’s. In high school the Stones, Clapton and Mayall first came out but Dave traded those records for Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin Hopkins, and BB King. After high school Weld moved to New Mexico, and... Read more

Dennis Binder was born in Rosedale, Mississippi, on November 18, 1928.  He took an interest in music very early in life, singing with his mother and two aunts in their Baptist Church. After church, the children and their parents attended prayer meetings or revivals, and often went to a juke joint or social gathering where music was central.  Although he... Read more

Campbell left rural Mississippi for the bright lights of Chicago at age ten, sneaking a peek at Muddy Waters at the 1125 Club soon after he arrived and jamming with his idol when he was only 12. He fell in with some West Side young bloods — Luther Allison, Magic Sam — and honed a guitar attack rooted deep in... Read more

When it comes to blues, Chicago’s strictly a guitar and harmonica town. Saxophonists who make a living leading a blues band in the Windy City are scarce as hen’s teeth. But Eddie Shaw has done precisely that ever since his longtime boss, Howlin’ Wolf, died in 1976.

“Superb guitarist and singer…every song’s a gem. ” – M.D. Spenser, Blues Matters Magazine ”
“A true triple threat. A Songwriter, Vocalist & Slide Guitar Player! Yikes! – Margie & Art Corey/BMI”
“Sh*t man, she can play.” – John Burdick, HV1